Portable air moving device with multi-directional grill

ABSTRACT

A portable air moving device possessing improved characteristics for air stream directing. The device includes; an air generator, a housing, and multiple independently adjustable grill segments. The device may include an electric heating element.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/349,250 filed May 28, 2010 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/380,798 filed Sep. 8, 2010.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present invention relates to portable column tower fans and portable electric heaters. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air directing grill augmenting the ability of the device to affect different size areas.

BACKGROUND

Fans have been used or many years to provide a cooling sensation for the user. The cooling sensation associated with fans of all types is dependent upon developing a moving current of air passing over the user. The passage of an air current over the user increases the evaporation of moisture from the skin surface of the user. A liquid must extract the necessary heat of vaporization in order to make the phase change to the gaseous state. Evaporating liquids extract heat from the remaining liquid and other materials in contact with the liquid. When subjected to elevated ambient temperatures evaporation is an important means of heat transfer away from the human body.

To increase and assist in this process a series of portable electric devices have been developed. One such device is the column tower fan. A column tower fan utilizes an elongated impeller to create a vertical column of air. One advantage of the conventional column tower fan is the fact that the vertical aspect ratio of the device efficiently uses floor space. Space efficiency is especially important when the device is used in a room, such as for example a bed room in which other large pieces of furniture are present. Another advantage of a conventional column tower fan is the transverse impeller used in the device is relatively quiet when compared to conventional fans that utilize axial type blades.

Although space efficient and quiet, there are several disadvantages that accompany the conventional column tower fan. One disadvantage is the narrow width of the air stream. The width of the air stream minimizes the area affected by the air current, which in turn minimizes the area in which the cooling affect of the device can be sensed. In an attempt to overcome this disadvantage, conventional column tower fans have added features such as oscillation. Although oscillation mitigates this disadvantage it simply deprives one area from the cooling effect of the air current until the oscillating movement returns the air current to that area.

Responses to these problems have varied, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,034, 6,830,433 and 7,059,826. As can be seen, these responses are complicated and expensive requiring the need to rotate air generator components and complete sections of the device housing.

Although the above mentioned patents increases the width of the exhaust air stream when compared to a conventional tower fan these embodiments have disadvantages as well. The exhaust air stream in the mentioned patents is divided by moving one section of the housing relative to another section of the housing. As can be appreciated the mechanisms, additional parts and additional assembly labor required to achieve the relative movement of the housing sections increases the manufacturing complication and as a result the cost of the product to the consumer.

SUMMARY

In view of the deficiencies of conventional column tower fans what is needed is a device that preserves the advantages while overcoming the deficiencies. The portable air moving device with multi directional grill according to embodiments of the present invention provides a simple yet economical structure that preserves the space saving and low noise characteristics while increasing the area of coverage of the air current.

As described and shown, the portable air moving device with multi directional grill uses a novel grill design to increase the coverage area of the air current. The use of a grill structure with multiple segments allows the air current to be segmented, each segment capable of being controlled independently to effect directional control of each segmented air current. As a result, in lieu of the single column of air produced by conventional column tower fans and tower heaters, the portable air moving device with a segmented, multi-directional grill produces multiple streams of air that can be independently controlled and adjusted to cover a larger or smaller area, as desired.

One aspect of the invention includes a housing defining an interior space and an air inlet in the housing allowing air to enter the interior space along with an air outlet allowing air to exit the interior space.

Another aspect of the invention is the location of an air generator within the interior space of said housing.

Yet another aspect of the invention is the inclusion of an air directing grill located proximate the air outlet including two or more grills segments being independently movable relative to each other. In some embodiments, the portable air moving device includes a single air outlet opening having multiple grill segments, each grill segment being capable of independent movement with respect to other grill segment(s).

Another aspect of the invention is the vertical alignment of the two or more grill segments along a substantially co-linear axis of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable air moving device with multi directional grill;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable air moving device with multi directional grill of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view showing performance characteristics of a portable air moving device with multi directional grill;

FIG. 4 is a top view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing improved performance characteristics of a portable air moving device with multi directional grill;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing additional performance characteristics of a portable air moving device with multi directional grill; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the portable air moving device with multi directional grill including an electric heating element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of portable air moving device with multi directional grill 100. Portable air moving device with multi directional grill 100 includes housing 200 defining first interior space 202. Air inlets 204 allow air to enter interior space 202. Movable grill segments 250 and 252 allow air to exit interior space 202. As shown, base 300 comprises riser 310 and stabilizer 320. Riser 310 is attached to lower portion of housing 200. In other embodiments (not shown), the housing may be connected directly to a base.

Arrows 254 and 256 show the possible movement of grill segments 250 and 252, respectively. Arrows 254 and 256 show the independent movement of each grill segment 250 and 252 relative to each other. As shown by arrows 254 and 256 the grill segments 250 and 252 are capable of horizontal movements. The ability to adjust the position of grill segments 250 and 252 independently enhance the functionality of the device for the user, as shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the multi-directional tower fan of FIG. 1. As shown, housing 200 includes housing rear 206, housing front 208, housing top 210, and housing bottom 212. Housing rear 206 may include air inlets 204. Housing front 208 includes air outlet 214. As shown, in some embodiments air outlet 214 includes a single air outlet.

As shown, grill frame 240 is assembled over air outlet 214. Grill segments 250 and 252 are assembled into grill frame 240, which in turn assures that air stream 150 will pass through grill segments 250 and 252. The air segments 250 and 252 are capable of independent movement with respect to one another and as a result may split air stream 150 into two separate air exhaust streams 150 a and 150 b.

In the illustrated embodiment, housing bottom 212 is adapted to interface with oscillation motor 270, link arm 272, and link 274. Oscillation motor 270 may be fixed to upper adaptor 312 which in turn is adapted to assemble housing 200 onto the upper end of riser 310. Oscillator motor 270 may be used to generate a horizontal movement of housing 200 thereby increasing the coverage area of the exhaust air flow, (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

As shown, control 216 is located proximate and under housing top 210. Control 216 is used to control the functions of the fan such as, for example: on/off, oscillation, impeller speeds, timers, etc.

Located within interior space 202 of housing 200 is air generator 400. In the illustrated embodiment, air generator 400 includes air cut off 402, motor 404, impeller 406, air guide 408, and upper bearing 410. As shown, air generator 400 uses impeller 406 which is a transverse or crossflow impeller.

Base 300 is used to maintain portable air moving device with multi directional grill 100 in an upright position. Base 300 may include stabilizer 320, lower adaptor 314, riser 310, and upper adaptor 312. It is contemplated that base 300 may be utilized absent riser 310.

As shown air stream 150 passes into and through housing 200 as a substantially straight vector. Air stream 150 is divided into multiple exhaust air streams 150 a, 150 b as it passes through grill segments 250 and 252, respectively.

Although two grill segments 250 and 252 were shown in the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not so limited. It is contemplated that two or more grill segments could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, three grill segments may be used; four grill segments may be used, five grill segments may be used; etc.

In addition, although the illustrated embodiment shown two grill segments that are substantially the same size, the invention is not so limited. It is contemplated that the grill segments may be different sizes. Further, although the illustrated embodiment shown two grill segments having substantially similar louver elements and louver spacing, the invention is not so limited. It is contemplated that each grill segment could comprise different louver elements and/or louver spacing.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing performance characteristics of portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100. As shown in FIG. 3, grill segments 250 and 252 are aligned to generate an exhaust air stream, comprising exhaust air streams 150 a and 150 b, having a minimized air stream angle α 354 defined by exhaust air boundaries 354 a and 354 b. As shown, exhaust air stream 150 a and exhaust air stream 150 b are substantially vertically aligned.

The area affected by the exhaust air stream can be increased by oscillation movement (represented by arrow 350) of housing 200. This increased affected area is shown by coverage angle β 352 defined by exhaust air boundaries 352 a and 352 b. This is a possible configuration for portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing enhanced performance characteristics of portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100. As shown in FIG. 4, grill segments 250 and 252 are independently rotated relative to each other to generate an exhaust air stream, comprising exhaust air streams 150 a and 150 b, having a maximized air stream angle α 358 defined by exhaust air boundaries 358 a and 358 b. As shown, exhaust air stream 150 a and exhaust air stream 150 b are vertically off-set by an amount substantially equal to the angular off-set of grill segments 250 and 252.

The area affected by the exhaust air stream can be increased by oscillation movement (represented by arrow 350) of housing 200. This increased affected area is shown by coverage angle β 356 defined by exhaust air boundaries 356 a and 356 b. This configuration for portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100 is a performance enhancement not present in conventional tower fans and tower heaters.

It is contemplated that grill segments 250 and 252 may be automatically oscillated along movements 254 and 256. Such automatic oscillation may oscillate the grill segments together or in opposite oscillation directions. Such automatic grill oscillation may be used with or without oscillation movement 350 of housing 200.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing further enhanced performance characteristics of portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100. Similar to FIG. 4 grill segments 250 and 252 are rotated relative to each other to generate an exhaust air stream having a maximized air stream angle α 358. As shown in FIG. 5, housing 200 may be located in the corner 506 of a room, represented by walls 502 and 504. The location of the device in corner 506 results in increased space saving within a room.

However, when the device is located in corner 506 of the room, as shown, the ability to oscillate housing 200 by oscillation movement 350 may be impeded. An example of one such impediment is the physical interference of housing 200 with either of walls 504 and 502 during oscillation. A second example of a possible impediment is the location of air inlets 204 located in a rear portion of housing 200 (see FIG. 2) relative to walls 504 and 502. As air inlets 204 move towards either of walls 504 and 506 during oscillation, the air flow into housing 200 may be impeded and the performance of the device may degrade.

When the device is located in corner 506 of a room, as shown in FIG. 5, the ability to adjust the area effected by the generate exhaust air stream is non-existent or impaired absent the ability to rotate grill segments 250 and 252 relative to each other. This configuration for portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100 is a space saving enhancement not present in conventional tower fans and tower heaters that depend solely on oscillation.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 600. Portable air moving device with multi directional grill of FIG. 6 is similar to portable air moving device with multi directional grill 100 of FIG. 2. Portable air moving device with multi directional grill 600 includes heating element 602 located between impeller 654 of air generator 650 and air outlet 214.

Heating element 602 is used to raise the temperature of the air flow generated by air generator 650 prior to exiting interior space 202 of housing 200. As such, the enhanced performance characteristics and advantages of a portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100, as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, are also applicable to the heated air stream of portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 600.

As shown, heating element 602 is a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater but the invention is not so limited. It is contemplated that other types of heating elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is also contemplated that other air conditioning structures could be used in lieu of heating element 602. For example, humidification mechanisms, air filtration mechanisms, and/or air purification mechanisms could be placed within interior space 202 of housing 200 either before or after air generator 650.

As shown in FIG. 6, air generator 650 is a centrifugal type air blower. Air generator 650 includes blower shell 656 including intake port 656 a and exhaust port 656 b. Motor 652 is connected to and rotates impeller 654 located inside blower shell 656. As shown, air generator 650 includes an additional blower shell 656 and impeller located on the opposite side of motor 652.

Portable air moving devices with multi-directional grill 100 and 600, as shown and described. overcome many if not all of the deficiencies of conventional column tower fans and tower column heaters. The portable air moving device with multi-directional grill 100 and 600 describes a structure that preserves the space saving and low noise characteristics while increasing the area of coverage of the exhaust air current.

The use of a novel grill design including grill segments 250 and 252 having independent movement relative to each other increases the coverage area of the generated exhaust air steam. The use of grill segments 250 and 252 greatly decreases manufacturing complication and cost when compared prior designs that require the rotation of air generator components and the rotation of complete sections of the device housing.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A portable air moving device comprising: a housing defining and interior space; an air inlet in said housing allowing air to enter said interior space; an air outlet allowing air to exit said interior space; an air generator located within said interior space of said housing; an air directing grill located proximate said air outlet, said air directing grill comprising; two or more grills segments, said grill segments being independently movable relative to each other.
 2. The portable air moving device of claim 1, further comprising: an air stream entering said interior space of said housing through said air inlet; said air stream passing through said air generator and subsequently exiting said housing through said air outlet and said air directing grill as an exhaust air stream; and said exhaust air stream comprising at least two independently directable exhaust air streams, each independently directable exhaust air stream corresponding to one of said two or more grill segments through which said exhaust air stream flows.
 3. The portable air moving device of claim 2, wherein each grill segment of said two or more grill segments rotates about a substantially vertical axis of rotation, and said rotation of each of said at least two grill segments directs one of said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams flowing through that grill segment along a horizontal plane.
 4. The portable air moving device of claim 3, wherein said substantially vertical axis of rotation of each grill segment of said at least two grill segments are substantially co-linear.
 5. The portable air moving device of claim 3, wherein said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams comprise an area affected by said exhaust air stream define by an exhaust air stream angle α, and wherein said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams can be directed to increase and/or decrease said exhaust air stream angle α.
 6. The portable air moving device of claim 5, wherein said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams are horizontally off-set by an amount substantially equal to an angular off-set of said at least two grill segments with respect to said substantially vertical axis of rotations.
 7. The portable air moving device of claim 5, further comprising: an oscillation mechanism, wherein said oscillation mechanism oscillates said housing about a substantially vertical axis of oscillation; and wherein said oscillating of said housing oscillates said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams and comprises an increased area affected by said exhaust air stream defined by coverage angle β, and said coverage angle β is increased and/or decreased by increasing and/or decreasing said exhaust air stream angle α.
 8. The portable air moving device of claim 2, further comprising a heating element located within said interior space of said housing and between said air generator and said air outlet, wherein said air stream passes through said heating element, and said exhaust air stream exits said housing as a heated exhaust air stream.
 9. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said air generator further comprises a centrifugal air blower.
 10. The portable air moving device of claim 1, further comprising a base connected to a lower portion of said housing and supporting said housing in a vertical and upright position relative to a support surface.
 11. The portable air moving device of claim 10, wherein said base further comprises a riser wherein said riser elevates said housing above said support surface.
 12. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said grill segments are movable relative to said housing, and each grill segment is independently movable with respect to other grill segments.
 13. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said grill segments are movable relative to said air inlet.
 14. The portable air moving device of claim 2, wherein said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams are movable relative to said air inlet.
 15. The portable air moving device of claim 1, wherein said air generator further comprises an air guide and an air cut off and said grill segments are movable relative to said air guide, said air cut off, and said housing.
 16. The portable air moving device of claim 2, wherein said air generator further comprises an air guide and an air cut off and said at least two independently directable exhaust air streams are movable relative to said air guide, said air cut off, and said housing.
 17. A multi-directional grill for a portable air moving device comprising: a first grill segment connected to a housing of said portable air moving device proximate an elongate air outlet, wherein said first grill segment comprises a vertical axis of rotation about which said first grill segment may rotate with respect to said air outlet; at least a second grill segment connected to said housing of said portable air moving device proximate said air outlet, said at least a second grill segment located above said first grill segment, said at least a second grill segment being substantially vertically aligned with said first grill segment, said at least a second grill segment comprises a vertical axis of rotation about which said second grill segment may rotate with respect to said air outlet, wherein said vertical axis of rotation of said at least a second grill segment is substantially co-linear with said vertical axis of rotation of said first grill segment; wherein said first grill segment and said at least a second grill segment rotate independently of one another.
 18. The multi-directional grill of claim 17, wherein a horizontal width of an exhaust air stream exiting said elongate air outlet of said portable air moving device is adjustable by said independent rotation of said first and said at least a second grill segments.
 19. The multi-directional grill of claim 18, further comprising an oscillation mechanism, wherein said oscillation mechanism oscillates said multi-directional grill and said exhaust air stream affects an increased area defined by a coverage angle β, and said coverage angle β is increased and/or decreased by adjustment of said independent rotation of said first grill segment about its vertical axis of rotation and said at least a second grill segment about its vertical axis of rotation.
 20. The multi-directional grill of claim 18, further comprising an electric heating element, wherein an air stream passes through said electric heating element prior to passing through said multi-directional grill and said air stream exits said portable air moving device comprises a heated exhaust air stream.
 21. The multi-directional grill of claim 18, further comprising at least a third grill segment connected to said housing of said portable air moving device proximate said air outlet, said at least a third grill segment located above said second grill segment, said at least a third grill segment being substantially vertically aligned with said first and second grill segments, said at least a third grill segment comprises a vertical axis of rotation about which said third grill segment may rotate with respect to said air outlet, wherein said vertical axis of rotation of said at least a third grill segment is substantially co-linear with said vertical axis of rotation of said first and second grill segments; wherein said third grill segment, said second grill segment, and said first grill segment each rotates independently of any other of said grill segments.
 22. A method of adjusting an area affected by an exhaust air stream produced by a portable air moving device, said method comprising: providing a housing defining an interior space; inducing an air flow into said interior space using an air generator; generating an exhaust air flow exiting from said interior space using said air generator; dividing said exhaust air flow into two or more exhaust air streams as said exhaust air flow exits said interior space using at least two grill segments; independently adjusting a direction of each of said two or more exhaust air stream relative to each other by independently rotating each of said at least two grill segments;
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: oscillating said housing along a vertical axis; expanding an area affected by said exhaust air flow over an increased area of coverage by said oscillation; and adjusting a size of said area affected by said exhaust air flow by adjusting said direction of each of said two or more exhaust air streams relative to each other.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of heating said air flow prior to exiting said interior space. 